Metal lock for gas meters



July 25, 1933. o MORREALE ET AL 1,919,701.

` METAL Loox FOR GAS METERS Filed sept. 22, 19:52

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Patented July '25, 1933 .STATES PATENT OFFICE;

' QNOFRIO TIIORREALR.V AND SALVATORE eUARINo,` OE Rocnns'rnn, i NEW .YORK AsIGNoRs .or ONE-THIRD To ROY OOLTON MOORE, or ROCHESTER, NEW YORK VMETRE LOOK FOR GAsMETERs M y .Application filed' September 22, 1932. S =.ra1r1\o.V 634,430.

The invention relatesto a metal lock for gas meters.'

The'object of thepresent invention is to improve the construction of metal locks for gas meters and to provide a simple, practical and eflicient metal loclrof strong, durable, and comparatively inexpensive construction capable of adjustment to fit meters of different sizes and adapted to be readily applied to the same and capable also of covering the coupling nuts of a gas meter and of efectually preventing a wrench from being applied to the same, whereby tampering with meter connections and theft of gas by such means are entirely eliminated.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawingand pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention,

In the drawing: Y

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a metal lock constructed in accordance with this invention and shown applied to a gas meter.

Fig.,2 is a horizontal sectional view of the metal lock.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-,3 of, Fig. 1, and illustrating the construction ofthe cups or sockets..

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.-

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the sections of the lateral, separable mem-y bers.

'In the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the metal lock, which is designed to be constructed of sheet metal or other suitable material, comprises in its construction two lateral separable members 1 composed of longitudinally adjustable sections 2 and 3 consisting of substantially straight strips or bars fitted flat against each other .ent sizes.

and slidable on each other to vary the length of the metal lock Ito fit gas meters of differd vThe section 3, which is fitted Aagainst the inner face of the section 2is provided with transverse loops 4"co`m`posedV 'y Y of narrow straps formed integral with the section 3 and connected with the same at the side edges thereof and folded transversely into overlapping relation, the terminals 5 of the transverse straps being welded or otherwise secured together. VThe loops 4 of the section 3 receive the section 2 and form i a slidable connection between the sections which are limited in` their outward adjustment by a Stop 111g G located at the outer fce of the section 2 at o v A pair of transverse loops 4 are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but one or more loops may, of course, be employed and the stop lug is of a size to engage the innermost loop for limiting the outward longitudinal movement of the sections t0 prevent the same from being pulled apart'. This form of adjustment of the sections enables the members to fit flat against each other when the metal lock is closed.

The members are provided at their ends with sectional cups or sockets 7 and 8 composed Vof approximately semi-cylindrical side walls and approximately semi-circular top and bottomflanges 9. The cups or sockets 7 and 8 are laterally separable and are adapted to be placed around the coupling nuts 10 of a gas meter 11 and the said cups or sockets form casings which completely enclose the nuts 10 and efl'ectuallyv prevent a wrench from being appliedto the same so that there is no liability of the meter being tampered with and theft of` gas by such means is entirely eliminated. The

the inner end there- Vcurved top and bottom flanges 9 form cir- The cup sections 8 at the free ends of the members 1 are provided with ears 16 having aligned openings 17 for the reception of the shackle 18 of a padlock 19, but a seal or any other suitable locking device may, of course, be employed for locking the lateral separable members in their closed position.

What is claimed is:

l. A look for gas meters comprising tWo lateral separable members litted flat against each other and each composed of overlapping sections slidably connected with each other, sectional cups carried by the said members at each end thereof and forming casings to it over the coupling nuts of a meter, means for hinging the cup sections together at .one end of the lock to permit lateral separation of the members, and means for securing the cup sections together at the other end of the lock.

bers.

2. A lock for gas meters comprising two lateral separable members composed of longitudinally adjustable flat sections slidable on each other, one of the sections of each member being provided With transverse loops receiving the other section antl the latter being' provided with exteriorly projecting loop engaging means for limiting the relative outward movement of the sections, cup sections carried" by the ends ot the members and forming casi-ngs for enclosing the coupling nuts of a meter, and means for4 hinging the cup sections at one end of the gas meter lock together t0 permit thel said lateral separation of the memoNoFRo MORREALE. SALVATORE GUARrNo. 

